Best New Indie Trailers: 'Frank,' 'Tracks,' 'Only Lovers Left Alive,' and 'Crushed'

We tend to hate on Hollywood studios because of the movie projects they choose to fund (Transformers 4, anyone?). So much of typical Hollywood product tends to be huge, expensive spectacles with little-to-no story, heavy special effects and poor acting. So, we at ScreenCrave have decided to help jump behind the indie film. Below you’ll find some of the best indie trailers of the week, plus unknown projects featured on sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo that need your help to get made. Check out this week’s picks below.

FRANK: In Frank, Michael Fassbender stars as a poet/musician who wears a giant fake head like all the time (even when he showers). Directed by Lenny Abrahamson, the film is loosely based on the story of Chris Sievery, aka Frank Sidebottom, an English musician who became famous for always wearing a fake head when he performed live. Domhnall Gleeson, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Scott McNairy also star. Frank played at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, and is now making the rounds at SXSW. The film has gotten great reviews for its unique humor and eccentricity. Magnolia will release the comedy sometime this year. Here’s the first trailer:

TRACKS: Tracks tells the true story of Robyn Davidson, played by Mia Wasikowska, who in 1977, as a young woman, walked across nearly 2,000 miles of the Western Australian desert with only her dog and four camels by her side. Directed by John Curran, Tracks is adapted by Marion Nelson from Davidson’s memoir. Adam Driver also co-stars as the National Geographic photographer who documented Davison’s adventure. The film opens in Australia on March 6, 2014. There’s no US release date yet. Check out the trailer below.

ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE: Jim Jarmusch‘s Only Lovers Left Alive stars Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton as vampires who’ve been in love for centuries. In the film, Hiddleston plays a depressive rock star who lives in a Detroit mansion, while Swinton’s Eve spends her days laying around Tangiers. The two later come together, but their happiness is interrupted when Eve’s little sister Ava (Mia Wasikowska), a trouble-making vampire, shows up and starts causing all kinds of mayhem. Only Lovers Left Alive premiered at Cannes, and is currently playing at SXSW. Sony Pictures Classics is set to distribute the film on April 11th. Here’s the latest trailer:

Indie Fundraiser Pick of the Week:

CRUSHED: Crushed tells the story of Ellia, a young woman who returns home to her family vineyard after her father dies in an accident on the winery. When his death is rules a murder and her mother becomes the prime suspect, Ellia must uncover the truth. The film is being produced by three passionate filmmakers, Megan Riakos (writer/director), Sarah Bishop (lead actor) and Robbie Miles. Thanks to the hard work of these three filmmakers, Crushed has already been shot. Currently, they are asking for help to cover costs such as editing, color-correction and music and sound design. If you’re interested in this story, head over to Kickstarter.

Those are the projects we have for you this week. Be sure to check back every week for our Best Indie Film Trailers of the Week–helping you stay informed about indie cinema.